PLP Leader Philip 'Brave' Davis in the House of Assembly.
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis has revealed he intervened to cancel a contract awarded to his brother by the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) board while he served as minister responsible for the power company.
Mr Davis responded to revelations outlined in the Ernst & Young (EY) audit into operations at Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), and reported in The Tribune on Wednesday.
The EY audit revealed one company owned by Mr Davis’ brother, AL D’s Construction & Roofing, received contracts from BEC even though the business was not the preferred bidder in a tender process.
Standing on a point of privilege in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Davis said he moved to block the contract as soon as he was made aware of it, and instructed his permanent secretary to write directly to the corporation.
He suggested the clarification was intentionally left out of the audit to further the political narrative set by the Minnis administration, adding he discussed the oversight in the report with Works Minister Desmond Bannister in September.
Mr Davis tabled a letter directing the cancellation of the contract, which was supported by Mr Bannister, who later gave a statement “exonerating” Mr Davis.
Mr Davis said he has directed his lawyers to look into the matter, which he claimed cast him in a negative light.
The EY audit flagged numerous “irregularities” in the way contracts were awarded by the BEC since 2012, including lack of due diligence leading contracts being awarded to companies “owned by public officials or BEC board members.”
It identified instances where former Executive Chairman Leslie Miller allegedly “influenced procurement decisions” for the awarding of contracts “or circumvented the process entirely.”
Despite repeated calls, Mr Davis could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
However, The Tribune’s report does not implicate Mr Davis in any wrongdoing. The audit report stated the contracts were awarded to his brother following a handwritten response from Mr Miller to BEC officials, stating the board requested for the contracts be awarded to AL D’s Construction & Roofing instead of two other companies.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Tribune
Comments
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 5 months ago
In essence DESMOND BANNISTER lied!
He deceived the house and the Bahamian people. The tribune and Desmond bannister owes the bahamaian people an apology!
realfreethinker 6 years, 5 months ago
Are you related to birdie. You seem as dimwitted as he/she. This story was not about Brave,it was about Miller giving a contract to PEP who happens to be Brave's brother.The only person that needs to apologise is Brave for how him and his gov destroyed this country. Stop withthe faux outrage please.
realfreethinker 6 years, 5 months ago
The tribune nor the report never accused brave of doing anything
HonestTruth 6 years, 5 months ago
@BahamasforBahamians, I know you’re a PLP troll and far from competent, so I will break it down for you.
If the Tribune leaked a story from their sources that was later found out to be inaccurate, what the heck does Desmond Bannister have to do with that. The Tribune should apologize for not doing their due diligence before posting claims is what you should be saying, unfortunately your incompetence omits you from comprehending simple facts.
TalRussell 6 years, 5 months ago
Comrades! Maybe Desmond should've stayed missing from his government house swearing-in by Her Excellency Marguerite? Honestly, I never even considered this red minister as one of the three reds to play one the character roles of the stooges - remember the Three Stooges Moe, Larry and Curly?
yari 6 years, 5 months ago
He intervened to cancel the contract but why was it issued in the first place?
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
With each and every passing day Minnis is looking more and more like the dimwitted buffoon I have all along known him to be and he is now dragging others (like Bannister) down the proverbial toilet with him. Sadly, Minnis was always lacked (and will never acquire) the basic skill sets, demeanor, temperament, moral compass and political instincts necessary to be a great leader. And now more than ever our country and its people need a truly great leader. Sadly, despair seems to be the order of the day for most Bahamians that had such high hopes in Minnis charting a new course for our nation.
Reality_Check 6 years, 5 months ago
Minnis is learning the hard way that campaign politics is very different from actually having to govern a country as its government leader. Dealing with dissident MPs in opposition and Loretta Butler-Turner are child's play compared to governing a country like ours at this time in its history.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
We all know that you een telling the truth. . .in fact you seem not able to tell the truth. . .to the detriment of the DNA. . .it is so sad for the DNA to be represented in these good times by such a light weight loud mouth person who don't seem able to slice a cake of butter straight with a red hot knife! Just learn to keep ya mouth shut when "thinking" is required. . .you can get involve when we need stupid political nonsense and party-induced-mental-blindness in support or against a person of party! Your dumb childish rants are getting stale. . .you must be that Chelly Moss dude. . .such an obnoxious nob with a brilliant mind. . .but piss poor blinded by his own bias. . .can't reason even if ya drop it on his fat head. . .but the worse part of all. . .HE CAN'T SEE THAT EEN NOBODY ON HIS RUN". . .WE ALL CAN SEE HOW FULL-OF-IT HE IS. . .
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Pop a pill and chill.
TalRussell 6 years, 5 months ago
Comrades! This all started with Minnis and KP thinking all they had do was be tossing red meat to their supporters with no regard to the heavy lifting that would be required. Both men's were equally useless in opposition as they've turned out be clueless at governing a country.
proudloudandfnm 6 years, 5 months ago
Fact is gis brother was given a contract under the table. The fact that Brave wrote asking to cancel it means nothing. The act was committed. Doesn't implicate Brave but does implicate whoever gave the contract to the brother....
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
Brave did not have to write to ask anybody to cancelled a contract. . .a contract under his portfolio. . .one he represents in the Cabinet. . .he has the signatory might next to the cabinet. . .no PS or Board can countermand his orders. . .unless the PM told them to "don't check for him". . .do what they want!! What kind of minister he was who saw all that crap going on in his ministries and does nothing about it. . .and now telling us that he gave orders to have it corrected and his board, GM, PS, Cabinet. . .I mean "nobody check for him". . .not even the PM? This is foolishness. . .he was asleep aye?
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Make that 2 pills.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
You can write ya know. . .I just will rip ya guts out verbally if ya continue to act dumb and asinine. . .
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
And he wants us to believe that as minister for that are. . .HE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CONTRACT UNTIL IT REACHED HIS DESK. . .EVEN JANITORS WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT CAN'T HAPPEN. . .IN FACT CONTRACTORS GO THROUGH HIS OFFICE BEFORE IN GOES DOWN TO THE LOWER LEVELS!
CatIslandBoy 6 years, 5 months ago
Brave may have intervened to cancel the award of the contract, but this does not exonerate Leslie Miller from having awarded the contract in the first place. It would appear that the story is about circumventing the bidding process by Miller and awarding the contract to a PLP-connected contractor. How could anyone miss this is just beyond me!
yari 6 years, 5 months ago
Plausible deniability - Brave is a lawyer- this is his domain. In my opinion he is just covering his behind,
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Only the Board of BEC/BPL had the authority to award the contract to Brave's brother - certainly not Miller alone.
CatIslandBoy 6 years, 5 months ago
It identified instances where former Executive Chairman Leslie Miller allegedly “influenced procurement decisions” for the awarding of contracts “or circumvented the process entirely.”
@Well_mudda_take_sic. Are you so blinded by your intellectual dishonesty, that you now substitute your thoughts for the words written in the article? SMDH!
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Actually it is the E&Y report itself that has thus far been tarnished by intellectually dishonesty. It is now painfully clear that no one at E&Y even bothered to interview officials at AL D's Construction and Roofing, or for that matter Brave himself as the former PLP cabinet minister who was bound to be irresponsibly portrayed by any material inaccuracy in or incompleteness of the report. You seem to be developing a very closed mind to things you perceive as being anti-FNM or pro-PLP. Be careful - over-dosing on partisan politics can turn one blind like nothing else can.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
THE MINISTER AND HIS CABINET CAN OVERRIDE THE BOARD ANY DAY OR TIME. . .THE BOARD WORKS FOR THE CABINET. . .THEIR BOSS THE MINISTER!
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
I guess you never had anybody in ya house or nor have you worked in government at those upper management levels aye? Them crooks will write a letter giving approvals for what ever you want and they cannot legitimately deny you. . .then they verbally communicate with each other and give orders that you will not be given a dang thing. . .they will give you one excuse after the other of why ya "things" is taking time. . .but they at the top had already gave orders that you will not get a thing. . .EVEN THOUGH THEY WROTE TO AUTHORIZE THAT YOU DO!!! I know of a case where an approval sat on a desk of a lower manager's for three years. . .approval was written. . . however, one of the high-up gave order that request not be processed at the accounts level. . .dead for three years!
sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago
Davis is trying to create his PLP new leader image ........ pay him no mind ........ he is still a crook
birdiestrachan 6 years, 5 months ago
They leak to the press what they want leaked. Banister should try to do better. Why was doc's brother contract not leaked? While people of colour fight over crumbs the rich Bay Street Boys get richer and richer. The peoples time is their time.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
THEN WHY DON'T YALL PLP GIVE THE PUBLIC ANY "LEAK" INFORMATION THAT CAN "BLOW UP" ON DOC THEM. . .YALL JUST KEEP TALKING LIKE YINNA GOT SOME "JUICY NEWS" BUT NEVER GIVE US ANYTHING BUT DUMB POLITICAL "DRIBBLE" . . .NOW IF YA GOT THAT CONTRACT NEWS GIVE IT TO US. . .
Greentea 6 years, 5 months ago
Leaks without being substantiated is just gossip. The tribune does a disservice printing gossip or the word of anyone who has a reporter's ear.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
How much more you want than an auditor's report. . .plenty people dem can go to jail based on that report. . .and you talking about gossip? Man you "gatty be" kidding me aye?
bogart 6 years, 5 months ago
Proudloudandfnm, how do you know that?
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 5 months ago
Who cares? Remember how we used to ask the PLP to stop pointing fingers at what the FNM did?
What is this government DOING.?? It looks like the only strategy they have is "distract", every month for the next five years they will drag out some "scandal" from the previous administration and accomplish nothing, no growth, no jobs, anyone hear about the milestones on that ipad programme or did the kids just get a new toy? Something is seriously wrong and every month we hearing Maury Povitch style revelations with the audience ooo-ing and ah-ing.
Who cares. I want to hear about Bahamians PLP's DNA's FNM's BDP's and all them other alphabet soups being empowered
ThisIsOurs 6 years, 5 months ago
Is Travis' mother really a janitor? If so his comments are really sad, his only reference to the janitorial profession should have been how his mother on her meager salary raised a man who rose to be an MP. Very very sad. He should have apologized immediately, instead, he said he didn't remember saying what he said even though there's recordings all over the place of him saying it. What manner of men are these? Like Sam Duncombe say, I would have never expected this from these people.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
You know that the boy was not dissing janitors. . .his mother being one of them. . .BUT YINNA CHILDISH PLP DEM JUST "PICKING" ON EVERY LITTLE THING TO MAKE DOC LOOK BAD. I BLAME TRAVIS FOR ONE THING. . .HE TOOK THE TIME TO ANSWER YINNA DUMB CRAP. . .
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Repost: As much as I hate to say it, our dimwitted PM unwittingly handed Brave and the PLP a great political gift. Brave should seriously reconsider taking legal action against both E&Y and The Tribune as he was wronged in a terrible way. E&Y had a responsibility and duty to interview Brave before finalizing its report. The Tribune for its part should have at least verified with its source of the leaked report that this had in fact been done. Both E&Y and The Tribune ought to have full well known that any incompleteness or inaccuracy in their reporting of this particular matter would have very grave implications for Brave's character and integrity in the eyes of the public. They had a duty to ensure Brave had an opportunity to address the matter before their respective reporting on the matter was finalized. Obviously E&Y, the Board of BEC/BPL and senior government officials (including Minnis himself) also had a duty to ensure the report was not somehow leaked to the press or public before the leader of the opposition had had an opportunity to review it and add any factual input he personally had on the matter. There certainly seems to have been a very deliberate effort here to assassinate the character and integrity of Brave by maliciously maligning and impugning his reputation. And of course The Tribune, true to form, was an all too willing partner in that effort.
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
ARE YOU THAT NAIVE OR ARE YOU JUST TRYING TO BRING UP MY BLOOD PRESSURE BY SAYING SOME OF THE MOST ASININE CRAP YOU CAN THINK OF?? THAT IS AN E&Y REPORT FELLA. . .THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND WILL BE SENT TO JAIL ON THAT. FURTHER MORE. . .DO YOU KNOW THAT REPORT IS VETTED BY THE AG AND GAZETTED? OR WHO DO YOU THINK THAT THE MINISTER OF A MINISTRY OR THE CABINET OF THE BAHAMAS COULD NOT STOP A BOARD FROM AWARDING A CONTRACT AGAINST THEIR OBJECTIONS? I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY DUDE. . .MINISTER OF WORKS IS REAPONSIBLE FOR ALL CONTRACTS UNDER HIS PERVIEW. . .WHETHER BRAVE OR HIS MAR WAS SITTING IN THAT CHAIR. . .HE WAS MOW. . .AND NOBODY COULD HAVE AWARD THE CONTRACT IF THE MINISTER SOUNDLY PUT HIS FOOT DOWN ON THE ACT. . .THE FRED RAMSEY CASE IS CASE IN POINT. . .THE BOARD DECIDED TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO ONE VENDOR AND THE PM (HI) OVERRIDE THEIR DECISION. . .AND ALSTRUM WAS GIVEN THE CONTRACT. . . THE BOARD DON'T HAVE THE LAST WORD!!
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 5 months ago
Oh what the hell...take the whole damn bottle of pills at once!
licks2 6 years, 5 months ago
Now ya using the childish response. . .get ya tail out of ya "I een playin wid you no more cause yoon leetin me win" slump. . .if ya can't stand the heat of reasoning carry ya behind home and send that new woman who joined ya party recently, she sound like she can "take the heat" of using sound reasoning skills!
bogart 6 years, 5 months ago
What about the Board of Directors of the Bank of the Bahamas that was headed by a former Auditor. At least a former Auditor General, an accountant. Should we not be looking at things run prpfessionally at least that is why BoB needs no audit like BPL. Boards of Directors are of the highest caliber of professionals educated and subscribing to the highrst levels of professional ethics demanded by their International Professional Organizations.and local Bahamian prefessional organizations too.
yari 6 years, 5 months ago
Apparently Davis' brother was paid in full for the cancelled contracts. Who do I believe now?
by yari
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